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Change Ringing
Change ringing is a traditional English style of ringing bells
which dates from the 17th century. When properly rung, a change-ringing
bell starts mouth up, swings full circle, then reverses direction and swings
full circle again to end mouth up. Since swinging bells have great
momentum, they cannot wait to be rung until a particular note is needed.
This means change-ringing bells do not ring tunes and require the full attention
of one ringer apiece. Instead, the bells each ring once in a particular
order, then each ring once again in a different order. Each order of
ringing is called a change (hence, change ringing). The ringers use
combinations of rules called methods to ring many different changes in a
row. A peal in a method consists of ringing 5,000 or more unique changes,
taking approximately three and a half hours without a break, a change in
personnel, or any visual aids. Ringers consider successfully ringing a
peal to be a major achievement and will ring a peal to mark a special occasion.
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What it Takes
What does it take to be a
ringer?
Time, mostly.
You do not need a background in music. Ringers come from many backgrounds
and professions--teachers, accountants, engineers, mathematicians, housewives
and househusbands, lawyers, students, archivists and more.
Age is not a limitation. We've
had a 10-year-old learn to ring, and in England people continue ringing into
their 80s.
However, learning to ring requires a
lot of commitment from the prospective ringer. To make any progress in
ringing requires time--regular attendance at practices in the tower, as well as
time spent outside the tower studying. On average, beginners should expect
it to take a year or longer before they are ringing methods. The more time
spent studying and at practices, the faster the progress is made.
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Limits to Becoming a Tower Ringer
Size--You must be large enough to
handle the bells. You must be able to reach the sally (standing on a box
to do so is okay).
Age - While young children (with supervision) can attend practice, most
towers will not accept a child under the age of 6. Some towers, such as
Washington, set a higher age (or size/strength) requirement, depending on the
size and the "go" of their bells.
Proximity to a tower - This is
likely to be the most limiting factor in the US as there are only about 50
towers in the US and Canada.
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Other Change Ringing Opportunities
What if I don't live near a tower or don't think I can handle a tower bell?
English Change Ringing can also be done on handbells!
There are many handbell
groups throughout North America. The North American Guild of Change
Ringers (NAGCR) can provide information about handbell ringing in your area, and
also has teaching materials and books about ringing available for
purchase.
NAGCR's home page: 
